PHILADELPHIA, PA — Thirdbird is pleased to announce “Facing Front”, the first large scale retrospective of the internationally acclaimed duets of choreographer Jonathan Burrows and composer Matteo Fargion. The pair’s complex, virtuosic works combine movement, text, and sound, incorporating humor and wit while retaining a predominant sense of formality.

While the duo is frequently presented at many of the most important festivals and theaters through out Europe, appearance in the United States have been quite rare. This is their first appearance in Philadelphia, and their only engagement in the US during 2015.

In addition to performing their nine duets, including the Bessie award winning “Both Sitting Duet”, Burrows and Fargion will lead a week long masterclass as well as an intensive workshop with 36 Philadelphia based composers, choreographers, musicians, actors, dancers, and writers. In conjunction with these activities, Thirdbird will also publish an anthology entitled “Marking Time” which contains essays, interviews, media and other reflections on Burrows’ and Fargion’s creative lives and collaborative career.

Like Burrows and Fargion, Thirdbird, under the leadership of dance curator Anna Drozdowski and music curator Dustin Hurt, specializes in projects at the intersection of dance and music. “It’s really a misnomer to call Jonathan the choreographer and Matteo the composer in this work.” said Hurt. “ And it’s not just because Jonathan sings and Matteo moves – but because they create a third genre – one between music and dance.”

“Philadelphia has consistently been at the forefront of places experimenting with new forms and genres,” says Drozdowski. “Burrows and Fargion are an excellent and ready match for artists and audiences in our hometown, their ‘handmade’ and ‘human-scale’ work is a great fit for what is happening now.”

Performances are at 7pm and 9pm on June 19, 20, 26, and 27, with different works on each program. All events take place at the Neighborhood House Theater, located at 20 N. American Street (near 2nd and Market Streets), just behind historic Christ Church. Tickets range between $12 - $18, with discounts available for multiple shows, available online in and the door. Seating is general admission. For more information, please visit the thirdbird website at: http://www.birdbirdbird.org

Major support for FACING FRONT has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, with additional support from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund.